What a guided elk hunt costs

A 5-day fully guided 1:1 western elk hunt in 2026 typically runs $5,500–$9,500. Semi-guided 2:1 hunts come in around $3,500–$5,500. Drop camps with daily check-ins are $1,800–$3,200 for the same duration.

Private ranch trophy hunts in Colorado, New Mexico, or Arizona can run $12,000–$25,000+ once trophy fees and landowner tags are stacked on top of the base hunt.

Nonresident elk tags vary widely. Colorado over-the-counter is roughly $760. Wyoming nonresident general is $707. Idaho nonresident A-tag is around $651. Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona require draws and are far more variable. Budget another $700–$1,500 above your hunt price for tags alone.

Once you add airfare, rental car or truck, ammo, last-minute gear, tipping (10–15% of the hunt price is standard for a hard-working guide), meat shipping, and possibly taxidermy, a $6,500 hunt usually lands in the $9,000–$11,000 range all-in. Plan for it.